Counter fraud and corruption strategy

This page provides information and guidance on our approach to counter fraud and corruption including our strategy and fraud response plan.

We are determined to protect ourselves, our employees, partners and the public from fraud and corruption. To do this, we are committed to establishing and maintaining strategies to prevent and detect fraud and corruption, and to develop a culture of zero tolerance where such cases are proven.

The Fraud Act 2006 describes fraud as the intention to make gain or cause loss under three main headings:

fraud by false representation

fraud by failing to disclose information

fraud by abuse of position

There are further subheadings of fraud described including possession of articles for use in fraud, making or supplying articles for use in frauds, participating in fraudulent business and or obtaining services dishonestly.

Corruption is defined as the offering, giving, soliciting or acceptance of an inducement or reward, or showing any favour or disfavour which may influence any person to act improperly.

Bribery is defined in the Bribery Act 2010 "as giving someone a financial or other advantage to encourage that person to perform their functions or activities improperly or to reward a person for having already done so, in order to gain personal, commercial, regulatory or contractual advantage". It is the most common form of corruption.

Strategy and plan

We take fraud and corruption very seriously. All instances of potential fraud or corruption that are reported to us will be investigated rigorously and promptly, and appropriate action will be taken. The Council has a Corporate Fraud Team. We encourage anyone concerned about possible fraud or corruption concerning the council, its partners or wholly-owned companies, to report it via the contact us details.

Related guidance

You may be interested in watching the YouTube videos, produced by Action Fraud, that highlight some of the methods used by fraudsters to obtain personal details of unsuspecting individuals for fraudulent purposes.